Announcing the Collective STEP for Youth Newsletter

We are excited to introduce the Collective STEP for Youth newsletter! We'll be using this communication to keep you informed about upcoming events, training, and other program opportunities.

Call for Collective STEP for Youth Mini-Grant Applications

Collective Step for Youth is now accepting applications for mini-grants DUE 4/19/17.
 
Open to organizations in Maricopa County working with youth ages 10-19 (not currently receiving OAH funds), this proposal will enhance the collaborative network of organizations providing quality youth programming.  Project implementation takes place in May and June with numerous contracts from $5,000-$8,000. 

                                                      Learn more here and apply!
 
May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

Let's use NTPP Month as an opportunity to start an open conversation and do some myth-busting!   
  • Mark your calendar for a Professional Development opportunity! Collective STEP for Youth will host a Teen Pregnancy Prevention webinar on May 10th that will focus on adolescent health and wellbeing. More information to come. 
  • Plan to attend Touchstone Health Services 2nd Annual CARE Community Health Fair on May 20th from 9AM-1PM.
  • Learn the facts about Teen Pregnancy in Arizona.  
  • Get involved with Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. 
  • Tell us about your organization's NTPP event! We would love to help promote your work. Email [email protected] to keep us informed. 
Events/Opportunities/Resources

EVENTS:
OPPORTUNITIES:
RESOURCES:
Collective STEP for Youth Updates

Current Status
 
Collective STEP for Youth's funding from the federal Office of Adolescent Health is confirmed through June 2017.  For Fiscal Year 2017, which runs through September 30, 2017, the federal government is being temporarily funded at FY 16 levels through a continuing resolution (CR) through April 28th. A 50% cut to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programming was proposed in the Administration's FY 2017 budget options.  Congress is scheduled to vote on this CR on April 28th. The specific CR number is unknown at this time.  
 
What The Grant Supports

What is Collective STEP for Youth? 
Collective STEP for Youth is a group of professionals who are passionate about building the capacity of youth-serving organizations to prevent teen pregnancy and enhance adolescent wellbeing.
 
Supported by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health  (MCDPH) and a grant from the Office of Adolescent Health (OAH), Collective STEP for Youth works with organizations serving youth ages 10-19 to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors by offering training, technical assistance, professional development and more to prevent teen pregnancy and enhance adolescent wellbeing.
 
Why do we focus on teen pregnancy and adolescent health?
Though rates are declining nationally, Arizona - and Maricopa County - still have a higher than average rate of children born to young mothers. Here's why that matters:
  • In 2010 teen pregnancy cost Arizona's taxpayers $240 million.
  • In 2014 our state had the 12th highest rate of teenage births in the nation.
  • An adolescent with a history of sexual abuse is twice as likely to become pregnant as an adolescent who has not been sexually abused.
  • High school females who experience dating violence are 4-6 times more likely to have been pregnant than their peers. 
  • Adolescent females with a major mental illness are 3 times more likely to become teen mothers. 
  • High school students who drink are 1.7 times more likely to have been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant than their non-drinking peers.  
  • Click here to learn more.
How are we working to build the capacity of youth-serving organizations?  
Since 2015, Collective STEP for Youth has:
  • Engaged nearly 500 individuals in professional development activities and trainings.
  • A growing Coalition with more than 50 diverse members.
  • Trained over 80 staff in two evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs.
  • Supported medically-accurate teen pregnancy prevention education to over 660 young people in Maricopa County.
  • Click here to learn more.

     

Join The Collective STEP for Youth Coalition
Are you interested in adolescent health and wellbeing?  
Do you want to make a difference in your community?  

The Collective STEP for Youth Coalition advocates for positive youth development opportunities through capacity building, collaboration, and fostering a strong community network. We envision a world where youth have the information and resources needed to gain important life skills and successfully transition into adulthood.

If you work with youth in Maricopa County ages 10-19 and would like more information about joining the Coalition, or if you have something you'd like to share with other members, please contact Carla Pelletier at 602-359-2433 or [email protected].

Thank you for strengthening our communities, support systems, and families by empowering adolescents! 

The project described is supported by Grant Number TP1AHOOO129 from the Office of Adolescent Health.  Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.